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Bay Area Scam Artist Posing As Motown Legend

Authorities say 57-year-old Alan Young is a Bay Area scam artist who often poses as a Motown musician or a famous musician's relative. He is 5'9" tall, around 185 pounds with graying hair and brown eyes. (San Francisco Police)

Authorities say 57-year-old Alan Young is a Bay Area scam artist who often poses as a Motown musician or a famous musician's relative. He is 5'9" tall, around 185 pounds with graying hair and brown eyes. (San Francisco Police)

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) — Police are searching for a prolific Bay Area scam artist who they say is impersonating a Motown legend.

57-year-old Alan Young has been in and out of Bay Area jails since the 1970’s, often posing as a Motown musician or a relative of a famous musician. Authorities say he is known for scamming people for thousands of dollars worth of cash, drinks, hotel rooms and limo rides.

San Francisco Police are asking for help to catch Young. They say he recently posed as Lamont Dozier, the hall of fame Motown songwriter of such hits as “Stop in the Name of Love” and “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch).”

Police say Young nearly conned a San Francisco gallery out of $75,000 worth of artwork. But when the gallery owner looked Dozier up online, the plot was foiled since Young looks nothing like Dozier.

Retired Oakland Police Captain Tony Hare said Young likely has dozens of victims scattered across the Bay Area; but most are probably too embarrassed to call police.

“He is so accomplished at what he does, and he’s willing to continue doing this against all odds,” Hare said.

Anyone who has who information about Young are asked to contact San Francisco Police.

National Emmy winner Joe Vazquez has traveled far and wide in search of a good story.
In a local TV news career that spans more than two decades, Joe has hustled after hurricanes and tropical storms in Houston and New Orleans; covered politics and...

One Comment

This guy was at our Yoshi’s SF gig tonite, Moh Alileche Ensemble. We sang him happy birthday, no kidding. He probably got some nice dessert out of it. If I had read this news earlier I would have called it in.

@ John: Ha-ha. Too bad I missed it! I heard he plays one hell of a lute (loot).
@ jimbe- Pair this guy up with the “happy singing guitar guy” who’s been at steps of our Ghiradelli Square for the past 30 years. They’d probably make a great duet with hits like “Sitting At The Hock of the Bay,” “We Milked This City (Journey song),” and “Tears of a Con (Motown Smokey hit)”